By AYLEEN CANIZALES
editor@sbnewspaper.com
ark Buddle, San Benito High School cross country and track coach, has officially retired as of May 2024. Buddle first moved to San Benito in search of work after an economic downturn took place in his home state of Michigan in 1981, resulting in funding cuts at the school which employed him, leaving him in search of a new opportunity.
According to Buddle, after being “basically hired over the phone,” he made the move to South Texas with his wife Robin Buddle and daughters Jessylmm, Michaela, Claria and Bethany. His first job was teaching U.S. History to eighth graders in the old Berta Cabaza building (which was San Benito High School prior to being converted into the middle school). Five years later, he moved to teaching high school.
When asked what led him to coaching cross country and track, Buddle revealed that he ran cross country in college. Living behind the school also provided “an outlet” for running. His eighth grade students often joined him, “so it became routine.”
Tommy Roberts, head football coach at SBHS at the time, asked Buddle to coach the girls’ basketball team, to which Buddle agreed. Buddle soon realized that coaching for the basketball team took valuable time away from his home life, to which Roberts asked Buddle to instead coach cross country and track. According to Buddle, “He said, ‘You run with the kids all the time anyway,’” when referring to Roberts.
Buddle officially became the cross country and track coach in 1994, his first year resulting in them being “dead last.” However, their second year garnered favorable results as they became district champions and were ranked seventh overall in the state. “They were talented kids. I didn’t have to do much; I just had to turn them loose,” Buddle said when highlighting the stark differences in results.
Buddle hosted resaca runs in previous years to raise money for his senior cross country and track runners in financial need to attend college, including his students Roy Gomez and Deandra Ibarra.
Buddle said it first started with Gomez, who, despite meeting the requirements for a scholarship, did not receive one to attend Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). Buddle said that he told Gomez that “you don’t need the money; we’re going to make the money,” and Buddle upheld his promise.
Buddle said that he recently saw Gomez running at a TAMUCC conference this year and is happy to say that he is now on scholarship. Buddle also highlighted that Ibarra is also running for the TAMUCC Islanders. His most recent resaca run raised money for the cross country program.
Buddle reflected on his time teaching and coaching and said, “It hasn’t hit me,” regarding his retirement. Buddle then praised his students and said, “I’ve been lucky they wound up in my classroom.”
Despite turning in his keys to the school, Buddle still plans on running with his students and anyone who would like to join. Buddle said that Monday-Thursday at 7 a.m. is where he and students will meet at Heavin Trail to “keep in shape.” Buddle looks forward to continuing to run, contributing as worship leader at his church, and playing Tejano/Conjunto music on his accordion as part of the many prospects of his retirement.
In commemoration of 45 years of coaching, Buddle’s daughters will be hosting a retirement run in his honor. The event will be held at Heavin Trail Amphitheater in San Benito on June 29, 2024, from 6:30–9 p.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to reminisce about memories with high school photos, share a favorite memory with Buddle and enjoy the festivities with food and music.
Proceeds will be donated to the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum (TCHFM), located in San Benito, and Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children since 1994.
To register for the run, or to donate, sign up through the following link:
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSf5FO3iI…/viewform…